Gin & Tonic didn’t begin as a patio drink. It began as medicine.

In the 19th century, British officers in India were prescribed quinine to prevent malaria. Quinine is intensely bitter, so it was mixed with sugar, water, citrus — and eventually gin. The combination stuck. What started as a functional tonic became one of the most enduring highball templates in cocktail history.

At this tasting, we return to that structure — but with intention.

Instead of relying on commercial tonic water, we build our own. House-made tonic allows us to control bitterness, sweetness, citrus oil, and carbonation. The goal isn’t nostalgia. It’s precision. Each gin expression interacts differently with quinine, botanicals, and acid, and small adjustments change the entire experience in the glass.

Over the course of one focused hour, we’ll move through multiple gin and tonic builds, each paired with tea sandwiches by Pie Fairy designed to highlight citrus, temper bitterness, or amplify herbal notes.

This is a guided Gin & Tonic tasting at Anna’s Place in downtown Omaha — structured, deliberate, and rooted in cocktail history rather than default pours.

Limited seating. 21+.